Machine for sorting goods



a Sheets-Sheet i D. P. LARHAM Sept. 16, 1952 MACHINE FOR SORTING GOODSFiled July 21, 1947 Sept. 16, 1952 R M MACHINE FOR SORTING GOODS 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 21, 1947 Sept. 16, 1952 LARHAM 2,610,748

MACHINE FOR SORTING GOODS Filed July 21, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3''IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ INVE NTOR DAVID PERCNAL LARH AM ATTORNEYSPatented Sept. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- David PercivalLarham, Southampton, England Application July 21, 1947, Serial No.762,337

In Great Britain April 11, 1939 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8,1946 Patent expires April 11, 1959 This invention is for improvements inor relating to machines for sorting goods having difieringcharacteristics and has for its object the provision of a machineoperable in such a manner that goods are automatically collected at aplurality of positions each of which is reserved for goods having thesame characteristic or for a group of goods the characteristic of whichindicates that they are to be collected at a definite position. v

In a manual system of sorting goods of difierent types the sorterexpends a considerable amount of energy in transferring goods from acollection of goods having a number of distinguishing characteristics topositions where the goods have a single distinguishing characteristic ora predetermined range of characteristics. In a partially mechanicalmethod of sorting goods, the articles are placed conveyor band and anumber of sorters each select therefrom goods having a particularcharacteristic, the goods so selected being placed, if

desired, on separate moving conveyor bands each reserved for goodshaving a particular characteristic, but it will .be realised that withthis method a large number of sorters is required.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages associated with theabove methods of sortin in that only a single operator is required who,after examination of the goodsto be sorted,

can control the movements thereof into the appropriate channels withoutit being necessary for the operator to move from a particular position.This is achieved according to the present invention by a machine forsorting goods having differing characteristics, which consists in thecombination with a continuously moving conveyor band 'upon which goodsare placed at definite intervals and a plurality of deflectors spaced atdefinite intervals along the length of the band for deflecting the goodsfrom the band into a plurality of channels each reserved for goodshaving the same characteristics or for a group of goods having apredetermined range of characteristics, of means for preselecting thesequence in which the deflectors are actuated in accordance with theindividual characteristics of the goods so placed-ontheconveyor band,each deflector being actuated by. electrical means connected in acircuit which includes in series therewith a main switch and a secondaryswitch, with means in an. auxiliary circuit for retaining the mainswitch in' an operative position when the sameis-actuated'manually,'means for closing and opening'the secondaryswitchat regular inter-J on a continuously moving 6 Claims. (01. 21411) valsin synchronism with the intervals at which the goods are placed on theconveyor band, and

means for controlling the auxiliary circuit so as 1 to release the mainswitch after the energisation of the electrical actuating means, thedeflector being returned to the initial position under the control ofthe goods passing into the associated channel. Thus, in a machine forsorting goods having n specified characteristics, n deflectors areactuatedin a pro-selected sequence so as to deflect goods moving withthe conveyor band by means of n solenoid coils, the solenoid for thedeflector most remote from the point on the conveyor band upon which thegoods are first placed being connected in n parallel electrical circuitseach containin in series therewith a main switch and a secondary switch,with means, in n auxiliary circuits, for retaining the main switch in anoperative position when actuated.

manually, means for opening and closing the secondary switchesinsequence at regular intervals in synchronism with the intervals atwhichthe goods are placed on the conveyor band and means forcontrollingthe auxiliary circuits in sequence so'as to release the operative mainswitch after.

the energisation of the associated solenoid, whilst.- the solenoid nextremote from the point on the band upon which-the goods are firstplaced-is similarly connected inn-l auxiliary circuits and is similarlycontrolled, with corresponding oil-2, n-Iietc. circuitsfor the remainingsolenoids asso ciated with the 1i deflectors. In order that theinvention may be readily understood, an example thereof will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of a sorting ma.-

tclhine constructed inaccordance with the invenon;

Figure 2 illustrates a circuit diagram of electtrical selector mechanismfor actuating the machine illustrated in Figure l; I I

Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the selector mechanismrepresenteddiagrammatically in Figure 2 Figures 4 t0-8 illustrate indetail the contactor mechanism illustrated in-Figure 3;

Figure 9 'illustrates a trippin member alsoillustrated in Figure '1;

Figure 10 illustrates in plan a supervisory con trol panel forthe'entire' machine; and V Figure 11 illustratesin sectional sideelevation in Figure 10. s

The machinefor sorting goods according to the" (3) a supervisory,controldevice for the: opera tion of the electrical circuit in .apredetermined.

manner. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates in plan themechanical sorting arran ement which comprises a conveyor band. I..continuously driven over rollers 2 and 3 by means of any desired primemover through a gear wheel I. An electric signal 5, shownas a lamp, ismounted adjacent to the conveyor band I and is so arranged and connectedin an' electrical circuit as to illuminate at regular intervals thesurface of the conveyor band I in theregionof the line 6. The purpose ofthe lamp 5 and the. manner of connection thereof will be explainedhereinafter in greater detail. In the machine illustrated in Figure 1 itis presumed that goods having threedistinguishing characteristics are 7to be sorted into channels each reserved'for goods having one of thesaid characteristics.

Thus, 'for example, in sorting parcels which areultimately to bedelivered to three d stinct'destinations, such as London, Birmingham,Manchester, the three channels I, 8 and Bare reserved respectively forparcels addressed to London, Birmingham, and Manchester, respectively.The goods are placed individually uponthat portion of the surface of theband I which is' in the region of the line 6 -at-the instant when theband is illuminated by the lamp 5. The time interval between successiveperiods of illumination of the lamp 5 is eoual to the time taken for aparcel to traverse the distance I between two'adjacent channels, such asthe distance between the channels 9 and 8, or 8 and I. Assuming,therefore, that a parcel placed on the band in-the region of the lineG-is to'be deflected into'channel 8,

which in the example given above'would relate to parcelsdestined'for'Birmingham, a devlce'is actuated so as to arrest themovement'of'the parcel on the moving band and to deflect the parcelinto; that channel. The deflection is e1 fected-bv a deflector I I whichis hinged atIZ and g is. loadedby-a spring I3. In the-inoperativeposition, the deflector II lies substantially parallel to thedirectionof movement of'the conveyor band I and out of the path of any objectthere may be u on theband. In order to deflect aparcel, the deflector II is pivotally displaced so as to lie in a position transverse tothe-direction of movement of-the band I and to deflect 'anyparcelconveyed by the band into channel 8. Thedeflector I I is moved about itspivot by means of a movable core solenoid I4, corresponding movable coresolenoids I and I6 being associated with the deflectors for the channelsIand 9. Upon the energization of the solenoid, the core movestransversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor band into aposition shown by the solenoid I4 and swings the deflector II about itspivot into the position across the direction of movement of the conveyorband I. In order to ensure that the deflector I I returns. to itsinitial position after the passage of the parcel into .the channel 8, atripping device I1 is mountedorr a sloping chute I8 in the path of theparcel so deflected. The tripping. device I'Lisshowningreater 'cletailin Figure 9 and comprisesa light angle plate I! pivoted in theslopingchute I8 and provided with a counterweight; I'Ia which tends to.maintainthe-plate IT in a horizontal plane At the exposed end of theplate I'I there is provided a lip [7b the height of which is arrangedsuch that it can be engaged by the deflector I I when the same has beenfully deflected. When the deflector II has been moved into a positiontransverse to the direction of the movement of -the'conveyor, the end ofthe deflector remoteifrom the actuating solenoid strikes the lip IIb andcauses the angle plate I! to swing into the position shown in dottedlines. On passing the lip Ilb, the actuating solenoid ceases to move thedeflector II, but the plate I! returns to the horizontal position underthe influence of the counterweight I'Ia. The-deflector II cannot,therefore, return to its initial position under the influence of thespring I3 since the movement thereof is arrested by the lip Iib. When aparcel moves down the surface of the. sloping chute I8 it passes overone limb of the angle plate I! and depresses it, thereby releasing thedeflector I I which returns to its initial inoperativeposition under theinfluence of the spring I 3. I

The manner inwhich the sequence of opera.

tion of the several deflectors canbe preselected will now be describedwith reference to Figure 2' of the accompanying drawings.For-convenience, the diagram in Figure 2' is divided into three sec-.

tions corresponding to the three channels I, 8 and 9illustrated'inFigure 1, channel 9 being nearest to the point upon theconveyor band I at which the goods are first applied and channel I beingmost remote therefrom. It will be understood that a' parcel which hastobe deflected into channel 9 has to travel a distance equal to one. thirdof thattraversed by a'parcel which has to;

he deflected into channel I and, therefore; if

parcels. are placed at regular intervals in'the region of the line 6 onthe'surface of the band I, such intervals being equal to the time takenby a parcel to traverse the distance I0 between two adjacent channels,it" is necessary for the control mechanism to preset thedeflectorassociated with the channel (in a suitable condition so as'todeflect after an interval equal to three times the period in which aparcel traverses the distance Ioand, similarly, the'deflector IIassociated with the channel 8 must be' preset in that condition after aninterval equal to twice that period. Thus, in Figure 2 it will be seenthat there is a single electrical circuit associated with the solenoid I4; and three such circuits connected in parallel for the solenoid I5;Referring initially tosection 9, the movement of the deflector is'effected when. the solenoid IB is energized and,

' for this purpose, there'is arranged in series with the. solenoid It aspring-loaded main switch It and a secondary switch I9; In parallel tothis circuit is an auxiliary circuit containing a small solenoid coil 29and a switch 2 I. The solenoid 20 is mounted directly under the switchI8 and is so lar intervals, th'e'instants of closing beingsynchronouswith the. instants of illumination of the lamp 5 illustrated inFigure 1. Upon the closure of the switch I9 whilst the switch I8is'closed, the solenoid IBis-energized and the deflector II is swungabout its pivot so as to deflect the parcel I from thele'onveyor bandinto the-channel 9L the parcel moves into? the channel over the trippingdevice llthe deflector isreturnedto its initial position. In order torestore the electrical circuit of the solenoid into its} initial opencondition, the switching mechanism ;is so constructed that the switch 2|is opened a fraction of a second after the switch I9 has been closed andthe leading endof the deflector H has been caught by the lip no on theangle plate l1. When the switch' 2| is opened, the small solenoid 20 isole-energised and. the switch I8, being spring controlled, opens-and thecircuitof the deflector H is returned to its initial condition.

Referring to -channel- 8 of the achine, the solenoid i4 is associatedwith'twocircuits connected-in parallel which are each similarto thecircuit described with reference to the channel 9. Thus, the solenoid 4has connected in series therewith, but in 'two'parallel circuits, mainswitches 22' and 23-and secondary switches and 25. Inthe two parallelauxiliary circuits there are connected in series small solenoids 26 and21 and switches 28 and 29. Each solenoid circuit and associatedauxiliary circuit operates in exactly the same manner as that describedwith reference to channel 9 but, in view of the fact that the distancebetween the channel 8 and thesurface of the conveyor band I adjacent tothe line 6 is doublethat of the distance between the'line 6 and thechannel 9, the switching sequence of the switches 24, 25 and 28', 29 isarranged so that the switches 25 and 29 are actuated at'an intervalafter the switches 24 and 28 equal to thetime taken for a parcel totraverse the distance Ill. a

In a similar manner, referring to channel I, the solenoid l isassociated with three parallel main circuits in which there are mainswitches 30, 3| and 32, secondary switches 33, 34 and 35 and there arethree parallel auxiliary circuits including small solenoids 35, 31 and38 having in series therewith switches 39, 40 and 4|. In this case,owing tothe fact that the distance between the channel =1 andth'e'region'of the conveyor band in the neighborhood of the line 6 isthree times that 'of' the distance l0, it is arranged that the switches33, 39 and 34, 40 and 35, 4| are actuated in sequence at time intervalscorresponding "to the timetaken for a parcel to traverse the distancel0.

The switches 33, 39; '34, 4'0; 35, 4| are continuously closed and openedin sequence irrespectively of. whether the switches 30, 3| and 32 are atany time closed. Similar conditions apply" to the switches in channels 8and 9. It is necessary'that at: the time of placing a parcel on thesurface of the band in the region of the line 6, it should be possible-totpreset the switches, for example of'the channel 1', sothat thedeflector of that channel-"is actuatedwhenthat parcel reaches thechannel 1, Hence in view of the fact that the switches;33, .39; 34, 40and 35, 4| are continuouslyactuated in sequence, it is necessary at theinstant of placing the parcel, on the band to ascertain whichof thoseswitches will be closed atthe instant when the parcel reaches thechannel I so that the appropriate main switch of the switches 30, 3| and32 can be actuated at the instant of; placing the parcel on the band. Anindication of the sequencein which the switches are closed is obtainedby means of an electric indicator circuit associated with each of themain switches 30,13I and 132 with corresponding lamp circuitsin channelsland 9, The

indicator circuit, which is energised' from the main sourceof currentsupply iforthe entire machine, consists of a fix'ed'cont'act 42 whichco-operates with the movable member ofthe' switch whenv it is opened andin series with I this contact there is a signalling." device shown as alamp43, and a switch 44. Similarly, there' are contacts 45, 48, lamps46, 49 and switches 41, 50 associated with the main switches 3| and 32with corresponding parts in the channels 8 and 9. The switches 44, 41and 50 are continuously closed and opened in the samesequence as theswitches33, 34 and are closed and opened and, therefore, as long as theswitches 30, 3|. and 32 are open, thelamps 43, 46 and 49 will'beilluminated in the same sequenceas the the neighborhood of the line 6and, assuming the lamp 43 to be illuminated, at the same instant themain switch 30 is closed. When the band I has carried the parcel forwardsuch a distance that it is opposite the channel 9, the switch'34 isclosed and the lamp 46 is illuminated. When the parcel is conveyed pastthe channel 8, the switch 35 is closed and the lamp 49 is illuminated.When the parcel reaches channel I, howeventhe switch 33 is againclosedbut, since the main switch .30 is closed, the'deflector will be movedabout its pivot and displace the parcel into the channel 1. Thus, byalways closing the switch of which the associated lamp is at thatinstant illuminated, it is possible to'preset the switching mechanism sothat one circuit of the plurality of parallel circuits associated withthe solenoid to be actuated will beclosed at the instant when the parcelhas reached the channel into which it is to be deflected. In the case ofsection 8, two such indicator lamps 52, 55 are provided and the mainswitches22 and 23 are closed only when their corresponding lamps areilluminated, the switches 53 and 55 again being closed and opened insequence with the. opening and closing of the switches 24 and 25. It isnot necessary to provide a switch corresponding to the switches 44, 41,50, 53 and 5B in the circuit ofchannel'il since there is only onema'inswitch tooperate and, therefore, the lamp 58 is illuminated at all timesexcept when the switch I8 is closed.

A mechanical arrangement for the actuation of the various switchesdescribed with reference chain Bla. The wheel 60 is drivenb} chain 60cfrom thewheel 4 illustrated in Figure 1. On the shaft of the toothedwheel 6| is a contact plate 62 which controls the switches 33, 39'; 34,40 and 35, 4| illustrated in Figure 2. The contact plate 62 isillustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and is hereinafter described in greaterdetail. Coupled to the plate 62 is a further plate 53 which ishereinafter described in detail with reference to Figure 8.

The plate'63 controls the switching sequence of 5 the switches 44, 41and 50 for the sequence of illumination of the lamps 43, 46 and 49.

On the same shaftas the plate 63i's a further-toothedwheeljlwhich'drivesa separate shaft through; achain 64a and toothedwheel 65. on thisshafty there is a plate ,66 which is similar to theplate.

lamps 52 and 55. Finally, a toothed wheel 68 on the same shaft as the.wheel 65.drives a further shaft through a chain drive 68a and a toothedwheel 69 and on the shaft thereof there is a plate I 6 similar to theplates .62and 66 except that it, is only employed to control one setofcontacts- I 9, 2i as distinct from the two sets and three sets inchannels 8 and 1. There is no plate on this shaft, which corresponds tothe plates 63 and .61 since, as is explained above, there is no switchprovided in the circuit ,of the lamp 58.,

Figure5 illustrates in, front elevation the plate 62 and a sideelevation thereof is illustrated in Figure 4. The plate 62 co-operateswith three banks of contacts which form the switches 33, 33; 34, 40 and35, 4|. Three studs H, 12 and 13 are mounted spirally on the surface ofthe plate 62 and are relatively displaced by an angle of 120. The studII passes once in every revolution of the plate 62 over the surface of acontact spring illustrated in Figure 6 which together with a fixedcontact forms the switch 33 and this is effected in such a manner thatevery time the stud presses on the contact spring 33 the switch isclosed. In a similar manner, the stud 12 closes the switch 34 once inevery revolutionof the plate 62 and the stud 13'similarly closes theswitch 35 once in every revolution of the plate 62. As stated above 1 inconnection with Figure 2, it is necessary to open the switches 39, 46and 4i in succession slightly after the switches 33, 34 and 35 have beenclosed and this is achieved by means of studs. 14, 15 and 16 mountedadjacent to the studs H, 12

and 13 on the surface of the plate 62, but at a I slightly greaterdistance from the axis thereof. These studs co-operate with aspringcontact so as to open that contact when depressed. The

switch 33, as illustrated in Figure 6, is opened by means: of thezstudI4 once in every revolution I and thisoccurs slightly after the stud Hhas closed the switch 33. A sectional view of the switch 39 isillustrated in Figure '7 which shows that depression thereof by means ofthe stud 14 opens the contact, whereas depression of the spring contact33 by the stud 1| closes that switch. The plates 66 and 16 are similarto the plate 62 except that provision is made respectively for twosetsand one set of actuating studs, in the case of the plate 66 these beingarranged at an angle of 180 to one another. 66 actuate the switches 24,28; 25, 29 in sequence and the studs on the plate 10 actuate theswitches l3, 2| once in every revolution of the plate.

As explained above, the plates63 and 61are employed'to control theactuation of theswitches 44, 41, 50, 53 and-56 and the plate63,is-illustrated in greater detail in Figure 8. 0n the surface oftheplate 63 there are arranged three raised elements 11, 18 and 19 each ata different distance from the axis of the plate and each extending overan angle of 120 of the surface of plate. These raised-elementsco-operate, as is shown in the side elevation illustrated in Figure 4,withcontact 44, and 56 so as successively to The studs on the platev61"is;similaryto -the plate .63 except that two raised'elements'thereonextend around the surface-of the'plate through an angle of 180 and thesecontrol theswitches53 and 56 which are similar-to the contacts 44, andillustrated in ,Figure 4.

Referring; again to Figure 3, during every revolution of the plate 62 itis necessary for the plate 66-to effectone and one half revolutions andfor theplate 10 to effect three revolutions since-there are three timesas many contacts on the plate 62, as there are on the plate 10 and oneandone half. times as many as there are on the plate. 66. This, speedratio is conveniently obtained by employing the following gear ratio.The

wheels 6| and 64 have twenty-four teeth. thewheels 65 and 68 havesixteen teeth and the wheel 69 has eight teeth. The gear ratio of thewheels 59 and 60 is dependent upon the number of teeth on the wheel 4driving the roller 2 but the ratio must be so selected that the shaftassociated with channel 7 rotates through one revolution during the timein which. the conveyor band moves through the distance from the line 6to the channel 1.

Figures 10 and'll illustrate in plan and sectional side elevation thesupervisory control device for the operation of the electrical'circuitin a predetermined manner. this control device incorporating theswitches 33, 3| and 32 and their switch [8 and a solenoid 26 for channel3. Re

ferringto FigurelO, the-lamps 43, 46' and 49 project abovethe surface ofthe control panel in one row and in an adjacent row there are two lamps52 and 55 projecting above the panel and forming controls for channel 6.A single lamp 58 is provided for the control of channel 9. As shown'inFigure 11, which illustrates a sectional view of the panel at the lamp43, the main switch. which in this'case is'the switch 30 is closed bydepression of the lamp 43 against the action of a spring 60. Indepressing the lamp and thus closing the switch 33, the contact 42illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 is opened and, therefore, thelamp 43 is extinguished. The lamp holder is, however, mounted on amember of magnetic material pivoted at 8! and controlled by the spring86 and when depressed this member of magnetic material is retained inposition by the magnetic influence of a solenoid coil 35. Onde-energisation of the solenoid 36 the spring returns the lamp 43 intoits initial position, thus opening the switch 36 and closing the contact42. The solenoid and lamp circuits are all similar, that for the lamp 43being illustrated in Figure 11 by way of example only.

The lamp 5 is illuminated periodically at intervals equivalent to thetime taken for a parcel to traverse the distance I0 between two adjacentchannels and this is achieved by means of a contact 82 which isconnected in series with the lamp 5 across the main source of currentsupply for the machine and the contact is closed once in everyrevolution of the gear wheel 69 which is equivalent to closing thecontact 82 so as to illuminate the lamp -5 each time-a parcel arrives atone of the channel and, therefore, it is possible to place a furtherparcel on the conveyor band in the region of the line 6.

Thus, in order to sort parcels into the appropriate channels a parcel'isplaced onthe band in the; neighbourhood of the line 6 at the instantwhenthe lamp is; illuminatedand after noting 'th destination"of"theparcel which may, for example, be channel 1, the operator depressesthelamp in therow of lampsassociated with channel? which at that instantisilluminated. "This'is one of the lamps 43, 46 or 49. If the parcel isto be deflected into channel 8, the lamp of the' two lamps 52,55 whichat the instant of placing theparcel on the band is illuminated, isdepressed or finally, if the parcel is to be deflected 1 into channel 9the lamp 58 is depressed.

' series, of operators canplace goods on the band opposite to thoselamps when they are illuminated, the'supervisory control device stillbeing actuated, however, at a position adjacent to the line 6 at theinstants when the signalling lamp 5 is illuminated.

Complete preselection. of the destination of the goods to be sorted canbeachieved with the machine according to the invention, the operationthereof-being extremely simple, eificient and rapid. I

In the example described, the contacts are actuated by a plurality ofstuds mounted on plates as illustrated in Figure 5. This provides -acompact contact construction but each stud 1 can be mounted on aseparate plate so as to co -operate with independent contacts. Similarlyit is not necessary for the deflector H to be pivotally moved across thesurface of the conveyor band in changing from the inoperative to theoperative positions. This is of particular advantage when the conveyorband is very wide, as is necessary in dealing with goods of a bulkynature, since with a wide band the length of the deflector l I has to beincreased and, owing to the fact that the deflectors extend in thedirection of movement of the conveyor band when they are in theinoperative position, the length of the band is thereby considerablyincreased. With deflectors arranged to pivot in a plane at right anglesto the plane of the conveyor band the length of the band can bemaintained small.

In order to standardize the components of the machine the plates t2,66,10 can be similar plates having a plurality of holes drilled thereininto which the appropriate number of studs can be screwed with thenecessary angular displacement. In the following claims articlesincludes groups of articles and characteristics includes ranges ofcharacteristics. Characteristics also includes characteristics asregards destination.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is: 1. Article sorting machine comprising (A) acontinuously moving conveyor from which the articles are removed at aseries of n removal stations spaced apart a, basic distance or amultiple thereof and allocated respectively to the differentcharacteristics of the articles; (B) n deflectors, one at each removalstation, said deflectors normally occupying an inoperative position inwhich they lie clear of the path of the articles on the conveyor andbeing selectively pre-settable to an operative position in which theylie in said path and are effective to deflect the articles from theconveyor, the articles being placed on the 0611- veyor at a datumstation or predatum station in such timed sequence as to result intheiarticles being spaced along the conveyor at a distance or distancesapart equal to said basic distance or a multiple thereof, and thedeflectors being automatically returned to the inoperative position bymeans operating under the control of the defiected article, and (C)a'pre-setting mechanism comprising in respect of each deflector (a) anelectromagnetic actuator therefor adapted to move the deflector to theoperated position and (b) a system or control circuits for the actuator,said'system comprising as regards the derlector most remote from thedatum or pre-datum'station (1) 12 main circuits arranged in parallelwith one another and each in series with the actuator and (-2) nauxiliary circuits, and-as regaros each successive deliectorprogressively nearer the ,datum or pre-datum station, a number of maincircuits as (1) and auxiliary circuits as (2) which is one less than thenumber m the case of the preceding deflector, each main circuitcomprising a main switch which is operated to close the circuit at theinstant of placing an article on the conveyor at the datum station or ofpassage orian article therepast, and a secondary switch which ismomentarily operated to close the circuit at time intervals which areproportional to-thespeed of 'theconveyor, and each auxiliary circuit,the 111110131011 of which is, through the holding-in action of a coil inthe c rcuit, to retain the main switch of the corresponoing main circuitin the operated condition until the corres onding secondary switch hasoperated to-complete the circuit, inclu ing, in

series with said coil, a switch which is momentariiy operated at thetime intervals aloresaid to open the circuit upon completion of movementa of the deflector to the operated position; the secohdaryswltches ofthe main circuits and the switches of the auxiliary circuits beingoperated in seriatim and at the time intervals ai'oresaid by a mechanismoperating synchronously with the conveyor, which mechanism in the caseof each of the control circuits except the one associated with the firstdenector or the series, operates also a selector switch functioning todetermine which of the main circuits shall be operative to actuate thedeflector in any given presetting oneration.

2. Article sorting machine as specified in claim 1, wherein each maincircuit or the sets thereof associated respectively with the variousdeflectors (i. e. excepting the one nearest thedatum station) hasassociated with it an indicator circuit including an indicator effectiveto indicate to the operator of the machine which of the main switches ofthe set thereof associated with the deflector to be pre-set in a givenpre-setting operation is to be operated in said operation, and a controlswitch therefor, the control switches of the indicator circuits beingcontinuously opened and closed simultaneously with and in the samesequence as the secondary switches of the main circuits by mechanismoperating syncronously with the conveyor.

3. Article sorting machine as specified in claim 1, wherein the instantsat which the articles are to be placed on the conveyor are indicated bysignals given by an indicator controlled by a mechanism operatingsynchronously with the conveyor.

4. Article sortingmachine asspecified in claim 7 1, wherein the mainswitches comprise in each case a fixed contact ar d amovable contact andsaid movable contact is carried on the armature of a solenoidconstituting the coil in the auxiliary circuit having a holding-inaction, which armature is spring loaded in oppositionto the pull of thno th a an men b in $1 1 that whilst said pull is suflicient to retainthe armat e. in th raw p sit zt i hic Position the main switch is intheclosed condition, it is insuflicient to moveit thereto, the armaturerequiring to be movedjtothe drawn position by manual eflort appliedthrough a manipulating me v czc at w t thers it h a t rangement f urtherheing sueh that the loading spring of the armature normally maintainsthe la te in the swit -J in pos n- 5. Article sorting inachine asspecified in claim Q1, wherein (a) each main circuit of the sets thereofassociated rcspfiqtively with the various deflectors '(i. e. exceptingthe one nearest the datum station) has associated with it an indicatorcircuit including a lamp effective to indicate to the operator ofthemachine which of the main switches of the set thereofjassociated withthe deflector to bepre-setin a given pre setting operation is to heoperated in said operation, and a contro1 switchtherefor, the controlswitches of th in icato ci it h me n nu u y o e e and closedsimultaneously with and in the same sequence as the secondary switchesof the main circuits by mechanism operating synchronously with theconveyor, (h) each main switch comprises in co-operation with a fixedcontact a.

"movable contact carried on the armature of a solenoid constituting thecoil in the auxiliary circuit having a holding-in action, which armatureis spring loaded in oppositio to thepull of the .9 1 d h arran eme being11 that Whilst r-r a-t dipl l is u ic en wr tai t armature the drawnposition, in which position the main switch isinthe closed condition, itis insufllcient to move it thereto, thearmaturerequiring to be moved tothe drawn position by manual eflort switches of the auxiliary circuitsare in the form of spring contacts which are operated in succession bypressure thereon of studs mounted spirally around the suriace ofarotatingplate and displaced thereon at angles such that during therotation of the plate the contacts areoper- ,ated in sequence at regularintervals ,in synchronism with the intervals atwhich or at multiples ofwhich therarticles are placed on the conveyor, said plate forming partof the mechanism operating synchronouslyv with the conveyor.

1 DAVID PERCIVAL REFERENCES CITED The iollowingreferencesare oi recordin the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,528,227 Spooner r w ,Mar. ,3,1925 1,868,894 Glahn ,July 26, 1932 2,011,827 Regan ,Aug. 20, 19352,307,712 Schenk a- ,Jan. 5,, 19 43

